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I feel like I am struggling with my mental health, where can I get support?

On this page you will find details on how to get information and support if you are going through a difficult time or are worried about how you are feeling.

If you are going through a difficult time or you're worried about how you're feeling, we understand it can be really scary and upsetting. The important thing to know is that you're not alone, and there are lots of places you can get good information and support.

Advice 

If you feel ready, try talking to a trusted adult or close friend about how you are feeling. Very often they can help you find support. If you are in school or college, there will be in most cases confidential support available or help to access support services. You can also access information, advice and support through your Local Authority Family Information Service.

The support you can access is different depending on where you live. However, there will be a Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) Service in your county. CAMHS is the name for the NHS services that support children and young people with their emotional wellbeing and mental health.

There are NHS CAMHS services across Wales, with local teams made up of friendly and supportive staff. These staff will include nurses, therapists, psychologists, child and adolescent psychiatrists (medical doctors specialising in mental health), support workers and social workers, as well as other professionals.

CAMHS provide support for many different types of conditions or issues children and young people can experience, including depression, problems with food, self-harm, abuse, violence or anger, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and anxiety, among other difficulties.

Most CAMHS services work with the whole family to support a young person's health. This might mean asking parents/carers/guardians to come along to assessment and treatment appointments, depending on your age and what level of involvement you want your parent(s)/carer(s)/guardian(s) to have.

The first step to getting help from CAMHS is usually that you will be referred for a CAMHS assessment. This referral can come from your parents/carers, or yourself if you are old enough (depending on where you live). Professionals like a teacher or GP (most GP surgeries will offer phone appointments) can in some areas refer. If you're being supported by social care, a youth team, or a service at your school, they might also be able to refer you.

Here are other useful links and services that can help:

  • Alumina (formerly Selfharm), offers free online self-harm support for 14 to 19 year olds. Go to the Alumina website.
  • Calm Halm is a free mobile app to help teenagers resist or manage the urge to self harm. Go to the Calm Harm website.
  • Catch It. This app helps you manage anxiety and depression by teaching you how to look at problems in a different way, turn negative thoughts into positive ones and improve your mental wellbeing. Go to the Catch It app in the NHS Apps Library.
  • The Childline website has plenty of information and advice on everything from bullying and abuse, to your friends and school. There is also a coping kit for when you are feeling low or overwhelmed. Go to the Childline website.
  • Dewis. Information on confidential helplines and access to online resources. Go to Dewis Wales .
  • The Harmless website offers advice and information regarding young people who may self-harm or experience such thoughts. Go to the Harmless website.
  • Headspace offers lots of advice on mindfulness. Go to the Headspace website.
  • Hwb Young Person's Mental Health Toolkit. Here you will find six playlists to direct you to a wide range of online resources to help you through the lockdown and beyond. In each of the playlists you'll find self-help websites, apps, helplines, and more that are here to support your mental health and well-being. Go to the Hwb Young Person's Mental Health Toolkit.
  • Meic is the helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. From finding out what’s going on in your local area to help dealing with a tricky situation, Meic will listen even when no-one else will. It will give you information, useful advice and the support you need to make a change. Go to the Meic website.
  • Mind. The charity provides advice, information and support to anyone with a mental health issue and those who are supporting them. Go to the Mind website.
  • National Self Harm Network. The National Self Harm Network is a forum to support individuals who self harm to reduce emotional distress and improve their quality of life. Go to the National Self Harm Network online forum.
  • Papyrus is a charity which works to prevent young suicides. Go to the Papyrus website.
  • Rethink Mental Illness improves the lives of people severely affected by mental illness through a network of local groups and services and expert information. Go to the Rethink Mental Illness website.
  • Sane is a charity which works to improve the quality of life for anyone affected by mental illness. Go to the Sane website.
  • Stress and Anxiety Companion. An app that helps you handle stress and anxiety on-the-go. Using breathing exercises, relaxing music and games designed to calm the mind, the app helps you change negative thoughts to help you better cope with life's ups and downs. Go to the Stress and Anxiety Companion app in the NHS Apps Library.
  • The Mix. The Mix provides essential support for under 25s on a range of issues including mental health, coronavirus outbreak anxiety, bullying, drinks and drugs, housing, money and more. Go to The Mix website.
  • Thrive.  The Thrive app helps you prevent and manage stress, anxiety and related conditions. The game-based app can be used to relax before a stressful situation or on a more regular basis to help you live a happier, more stress-free life. Go to the Thrive app in the NHS Apps Library.
  • WellMind is a free NHS mental health and wellbeing app designed to help with stress, anxiety and depression. The app includes advice, tips and tools to improve your mental health and boost your wellbeing. Go to the WellMind app on Google Play.
  • The YoungMinds website offers lots of advice on coronavirus and mental health for those struggling with worries, isolation, changes and losing a loved one. Go to the YoungMinds website.

Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth a galwadau ffôn yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg. Atebir gohebiaeth Gymraeg yn y Gymraeg, ac ni fydd hyn yn arwain at oedi. Mae’r dudalen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg drwy bwyso’r botwm ar y dde ar frig y dudalen.

We welcome correspondence and telephone calls in Welsh or English. Welsh language correspondence will be replied to in Welsh, and this will not lead to a delay. This page is available in Welsh by clicking ‘Cymraeg’ at the top right of this page.